Supporting and content dispensing attachment for collapsible tubes



April 1, 1952 Filed March 50, 1944 D. E. MARSHALL SUPPORTING AND CONTENT DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 1 r 29 42 Y Z 41 TJJLE- 4 30 25* a 1 i l I l 25 20 -L J-. l

2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR DONALD E. MARSHALL A ORNEY April 1, 1952 T D. E. MARSHALL SUPPORTING AND c ENT DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR 0 APSIBLE TUBES Filed March so, 1944 2 SHEETS-SHEE T 2 Ticv- 1/ l 1 J6 l 1 i i Ja I 1 i l 10/ I x i TO D E. MA ALL A TORNEY Patented Apr. 1, 1952 SUPPORTING AND CONTENT DISPENSING I ATTACHMENT FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Y Donald EsMarshall, Summit, N. J., assignor to Colgate-Palmolive-Peet Company, Jersey City, N. J a corporation of Delaware 1 Application March 30, 1944, Serial No. 528,1723 1 4 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of dispensing and is more particularly concerned with attachments designed to adapt conventional collapsible tubes to meet particular dispensing requirements in connection with differing types of cosmetics and the like.

While collapsible tubes of conventional design have been widely used for the retail packaging of articles such as tooth paste, shaving cream, deodorant cream, salves and medicinals of various sorts, it is apparent that the usual round discharge opening is not the most suitable type of dispensing aperture for all types of cosmetics and medicinals but is rather a compromise arrangement adaptable, with some inconvenience to the user; to a large number of dispensing operations widely differing in basic requirements. For example, tooth paste and shaving cream are normally dispensed onto brushes although the brushes used in the two instances widely differ in size and. construction. Deodorant creams and medicinals, on the other hand, are usually dispensed to the fingers for daubing, while some medicinals require direct application to the part of the body to be treated. V

,In an effort to adapt collapsible tubes to a particular use, several unique designs have been devised each, however, inherently limited to meet the dispensing requirements of but a single cosmetic or medicinal. Specialized tubes of the foregoing type, while affording the desired convenience for the user, are not particularly satisfactory from the point of view of the manufacturer due to the fact that the economies inherent in the mass production of a single design are lost, the manufacturer requiring a distinct model for each type of preparation to be marketed.

It is therefore an object of this invention to solve the foregoing problems by providing attachments for a single type of collapsible tube which will render it adaptable to a wide variety of dispensing recuirements, thus retaining the advanta es of mass production of a single type tube without loss of the convenience and sales appeal inherent in the provision of a dispensing tube specifically designed for use with a particular article.

According to this invention it is contemplated that attachments, individuallv designed for convenient dispensing of a particu ar article. be provided with a common means for attachment to the discharge spout of a conventional collapsible tube.

A further ob ect of this invention is the provision of attachments of the foregoing types in which the tube seal is well maintained by a con: venient auxiliary cover which additionally serves as a supporting base for the tube which may be inverted for storage when not in use, thus overcoming the inconvenience of replacing the tube screw cap.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of several embodiments thereof in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein: A

Figure '1 is a view partially in elevation and partially in vertical section of a conventional collapsible tube with a novel dispensing attachment for tooth paste attached thereto, the closure cover being shownin operative position;

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in section taken along the line 3-3 of Figurel;

Figure 4 is a view in elevation illustrating the inverted storage position of the tube and attach ments of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure l but illustrating an attachment designed for use in the dispensing of deodorant creams and the like;

Figure 6 is a view also similar to Figure 1 but illustrating an attachment designed for use in the dispensing of shaving cream; and

Figure 7 is a view in section taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, in. greater detail, the numeral l0 designates a collapsible tube of conventional design having at its upper end the usual frusto-conical end wall H and threaded boss 12 defining the usual cylindrical ischarge opening.

A spout member i3, having a concave frustoconical lower surface conforming to the shape of end wall ll of the tube and in coextensive direct engagement therewith, constitutes one of the principal parts of the attachment of this invention. This member i3 is provided with a central interiorly threaded aperture at I 4 adapted to engage the exterior threads of boss 12 so that spout member l3. can be held in the position shown in Figure l. Surrounding spout member !3 is an annular sleeve l5 having an integral backin member [6 depending therefrom along the len th of tube I0. Sleeve 15, as illustrated in Fi ures 1 and 3, thus provides a skirt on spout member i3 surrounding a portion of tube I!) adjacent end wall ll.

Fitting over sleeve l5 and the top of spout member I3 is an exteriorly cylindrical cap ll having an interior face exactly conforming to the contours of spout member I3 so as to seal the central aperture thereof at I l. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the contacting lateral surfaces of cap I1 and spout member I3 are frusto-conical so that thesealing. fit between them is broken upon even slight outward displacement of cap I'l.

The portions'of spout member I3 defining the central aperture above the threaded portion are so'shaped as to define a diametrically extending enlarged surface recess I8 surroundingi'the outer the recess, adhering to the bristles uniformly so that by the same operation the recess is cleaned and the bristles of the tooth brush are coated with paste. After such an operation, using recess l8, friction cap I! may be replaced to the Figural position and the tube inverted for storage 'to' the Figure 4 position so that the top surface I9 of the cap may serve as a base for the tube and accessory assembly when not in use.

In view of the provision of rigid integral backing member I6, tube It may be collapsed uni" 'formly from bottom to top as the paste within it is used, the backing being constructed of a hard material permitting the tube to'be smoothly compressed thereagainst to avoid waste of the corn tents and wrinkling of the tube.

While there are many materials from which spout member I3, cap I'i, sleeve I5 and backing It may be made, it has been found that hard plastics such as lucite or phenol formaldehyde condensation products present an attractive appearanceand are of suitable hardness. Since the cap I"'I.is. to be used as a base for the tube when the latter is not in operation, it may be desirable to make it of a heavier material or to weight it in some way to insure against accidental upset in. storage.

In Figure 5am attachment of the type adapted for use in connection with cream type deodorants is. illustrated. The tube is'exactly the same as that illustrated in Figure 1 and the parts thereof havebeen designated by like reference characters. In. this instance, however, the spout member 26 is a unitary element which is generally exteriorly cylindrical. The lower portion of spout member defines an annular flange or skirt 2I adapted to surround the upper portion of tube It! adjacent vfrusto-conical end portion I I thereof. Above an- -enga'ge the threads of'boss I2 of tube IE. As is :the case in connection with the'form of invention illustratedin Figure 1, when spout member 2c. is

:screwed into the operating-position it is firmly held by the engagement between, threaded area 23' and the threads on boss I2-while the. depend.-

: ing sleeveor skirt 2I andthe portionsdirectly engaging the end wall I I of the tube hold the spout portion against angular movement tending to .dis-

4 tort the end wall of the tube or to break off the threaded boss at its base.

Above the aperture at 22 the interior 24 of the spout member 20 is cup-shaped, the frustoconical walls diverging slightly from bottom to top as viewed in Figure 5. Into the cup-shaped socket at 24 within the top ofspout member 20 a combination cap member and pedestal 25 is frictionally received. Member 25 consists of a cylindrical base 26 and a stopper portion 21, the exterior walls of which are slightly convergent from top to bottom as viewed in Figure 5. This stopper portion is adapted to make a sealing fit within cup-shaped. portion 25 except at the botwhere, at 28, an enlargedrecess is provided in vertical registry withthe top of the aperture at 22. When cap 25 is in the position of Figure 5, the lit between stopper portion 21 and cup-shaped interior E l-of spout member 20 is a sealing one.

The seal, however, may be readily broken by simply pulling cap 25 vertically away from spout member 25 and tube I0. As soon as this movement is initiated, the complementary sloping walls of the stopper portion and the cup-shaped portion will move out of contact, permitting access of air to the recess at 28. In other words, while stopper portion 2'! functions as a seal in the Figure 5 position, it cannot function as a piston when it is removed. Thus, the accidental withdrawal of a substantial quantity of material out of tube Iii incident to removal of cap 25 is prevented.

the portion of the cream in recess 28 may be removed with the fingers and applied in the conventionalmanner. If any creamis retained within recess 28 the moisture thereof is preserved when cap 25 is restored to the Figure 5 position due to the fact that stopper portion 21 and cupshaped portion 24 define therebetween' a seal. This seal is somewhat augmented in storage due to the fact that under such conditions the tube is inverted as indicated in Figure 4 in connection with another form of the invention, with base 2'5 resting on a support. This being the case, the

weight of tube It) and its contents'and a portion of the weight of spout member 20 is taken on the annular end of stopper portion 21 defining the recess at 23. a

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 again involves the use of a conventional collapsible tube I0 having a frusto-conical end portion II and an exteriorly threaded boss I2. In

this instance, spout member 29 has a long de of passage defining aperture SI with j'an enlarged rounded, surface recess 32 for coacting with cap'dS to define an enlarged dispensing chamber inregistry with said aperture. This recess isiclose'd by a friction fit cap 33 the flanges 3d of which are interiorly convergent from bottom to top as viewed in Figure 6. The upper portions of the exterior wall of spout member 29 slope in a complementary manner so that when cap 33 is in closed position it will seal the end of the threaded recess and the top of the operating cavity at 32. As described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the complementary slope between the frusto-conical interior walls of the cap and the top exterior walls of the spout member prevent the cap from functioning as a pump when it is moved vertically away from the position at Figure 6. In other words, access of air to the cavity is permitted upon very slight displacement of the cap.

In storage the tube shown in Figure 6 is inverted to rest on the flat surface of cap 33 in the same manner that the Figure 1 assembly is inverted in Figure 4. In use the tube is somewhat compressed after removal of cap 33 so that a body of shaving cream is extruded into the cavity at 32. This cavity is shaped to accommodate the bristles of a shaving brush so that the latter may be coated with cream while the cavity is wiped clean both in a single operation. In the event brushless shaving cream is used, it may be removed from the cavity at 32 either by the fingers or the spout member 29 may be used as an applicator. Regardless of whether the spout member is used as an applicator or whether it is held substantially while material is removed from its upper cavity the convenience of skirt 30 is quite evident, serving as a rigid grip so that the tube may be firmly held without tendency to collapse it.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a supporting and material dispensing control attachment for a collapsible tube of the type having an end wall and a projecting discharge nozzle in said end wall comprising a spout member and a sealing cap member frictionally mounted on said spout member,

means for securing said spout member upon said tube nozzle, means in said spout member providing a discharge passage through said spout member as an effective continuation of said nozzle,

means providing a recess in the surface of one of i said members in registry with said passage and of appreciably larger cross sectional area than said passage, said recess being closed by the other of said members so as to provide a reservoir for material squeezed out of said tube, mating conical surfaces on said spout and said cap member terminating in shoulders which are mutually engageable when the cap member is tight on the spout member to positively predetermine the size of said recess, and said reservoir of material being available to a brush or the fingers of a user when the cap member is removed.

2. In the combination defined in claim 1, said recess being formed inthe surface of said cap member that overlies the outer end of said passa 3. An attachment for use with a collapsible tube having an end wall with an apertured threaded boss thereon, said attachment comprising a rigid annular spout having a through passage which is internally threaded for engagement with said boss, said spout having an end wall of such size and shape as to extend substantially over said end wall of the tube in close surface engagement with the latter when the two are in threaded engagement, and a closure member frictionally and removably seated on said spout for sealing said passage, said spout having an enlarged surface recess formed at the outer end thereof of appreciably larger cross-sectional area than said passage and in registry with the outer end of said passage coacting with the adjacent surface of said closure member to define a dispensing chamber for receiving a predetermined charge of material squeezed from said tube, and said chamber being exposed for removal of said charge of material by a brush or the users fingers when said closure member is removed.

4. In combination, a supporting and material dispensing control attachment for a collapsible tube of the type having an end wall and a projecting discharge nozzle on said end wall comprising a spout member and a sealing cap mem ber frictionally mounted on said spout member, means for securing said spout member upon said tube nozzle, means in said spout member providing a discharge passage through said spout memher as an efiective continuation of said nozzle, means providing a surface recess in said spout member at the outer end of said passage and of appreciably larger crosssectional area than said passage, said recess being closed by said sealing cap member so as to provide a predetermined reservoir for material squeezed out of said tube when the cap member is tight on the spout member, and said reservoir of material being available to a brush or the fingers of a user when the cap member is removed.

DONALD E. MARS-HALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

